What most don't tell you

jazzrule · 2015-07-13T05:24:29+02:00

In the Philippines they don't let you own property. If you buy a house here with your Filipino wife be sure to get a "long" lease signed at the time of the purchase. Some Filipino girls marry, get a house and then look for greener pastures. Get the lease to "not" read till your death, so you won't feel like you have a bounty on your head if they leave you. Also, don't expect to get a senior citizen discount on drugs and things, as the senior citizen discount is only for Filipinos. Want to buy building materials...have a Filipino buy them for you, or else expect to pay from 25% to 40% more due to your white skin. The immigration offices are not overly friendly either. You are often told incorrect information or not given the information you need. Driving here is a nightmare. Expect every rule to be broken. U-turns in the middle of the block. People pulling onto the highway without looking. Getting parking tickets when they don't have a sign up. You will be told someone took it down or they can't afford a sign. Turning left out of the right lane. Passing where there is not room, so you have to go to the shoulder to avoid head on collisions. Passing at hill tops, so you have to slow down or leave the road to avoid head on collisions. Men pull it out to pee anytime and any where they want...bridges, middle of the block, etc.etc. Cleaning ladies come into the men's restrooms (comfort room) in the mall at will. Positives...it is cheap to live here and it is a beautiful country.

Last activity 03 July 2020 by manwonder

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42 replies

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Paul O AUSMember01 July 2019 01:06:01

#41

GoDees wrote:
Looks like I will never get Philippino residency.

Filipino residency is different to Citizenship
You can get Residency 2 ways
Filipino wife and spend time there
or
With investment and retire in the Philippines

OkieboySerial expat02 July 2020 23:17:04

#42

653

Even if you and your Filipina wife buy land in both names, her part is covered by Filipino law if she dies, the person covered by law receives her part and the spouse is down on the list, so you will end up with a realitive as your partner, it would be better to lease than buy, and you cannot lease from your wife

manwonderViP03 July 2020 07:00:21

#43

1901

As an Expat...LAND buying here with wife/partner is just an agreement doc thats states nothing other than the receipt of payment by the *claimed owner seller of the land
/ no contractual rights here for us no matter what the local lawyer or doc states.
Invest with the mindset that you will get nothing back in the end.
Meantime enjoy the tax free stay/accomodation & hope that lasts >20yrs (just don't break your bank account with any kind of local investment)....I'm past my 7th year here with my/partners so called encumbrance free land ownership title & am willing to walk away wif nothing in the end!
Maybe if its less than 20yrs I'll use my
Shantui to level the place!
(omo)

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